Did You Recognize Walking Dead’s Carol From These Past Roles?

Carol, Before The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead | Photo Credit AMC

Before she was slaying walkers, sniping Termites, or even burning pre-walkers, the actress best known as Carol Peletier made her mark in television. Kentucky-native Melissa McBride was doing a commercial in Atlanta when she auditioned to played Carol on The Walking Dead.

From 2000 to 2010, McBride worked as a film and commercial casting director in Atlanta, Georgia. She has also guest starred on shows like American Gothic, Profiler, Walker, Texas Ranger, and Dawson’s Creek.

She’s most notable for her work in 2007’s The Mist and The Walking Dead.

Melissa McBride On Dawson’s Creek

Melissa McBride looked pretty different in the late 90s when she was locking lips with Dawson’s Creek star, James Van Der Beek. McBride starred as Melanie (Nina) on the television series that was shot in Wilmington, North Carolina.

In Season 1, McBride’s character was the point of interest for the lead character based on her love for film. McBride played Nina, a potential love interest who essentially ignored Dawson’s pick-up lines.

“Did it occur to you that I’m just not interested?” asked McBride’s character.

Melissa McBride In Darabont’s The Mist

Melissa McBride | Photo Credit The Mist

Steven King’s The Mist, which was written and directed by Walking Dead creator Frank Darabont also featured Melissa McBride, but she was already starting to look a little bit like Carol Peletier.

With her trademark short hair and motherly instincts, Melissa McBride’s role was only listed as “Woman With Kids at Home,” but she clearly made an impression on Darabont who would hire her three years later for Dead.

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New around here? Sign up for our email list (only 1-2 a week; I promise!), and get our exclusive FREE ebook, “Heroes of The Walking Dead: Character Guide”, to keep you abreast of all the characters going into Season 9A.

From Carol to Daryl to Carl, all of the characters from Season 8 are included.

Whether it’s time for a refresher before the season premier, or a Cliff Notes-style guide for new fans, this ebook checks the boxes for all TWD fans.

Brock Swinson is a contributor at MMN, Airows, and Creative Screenwriting Magazine. He is also the author of 'How Hollywood Screenwriters Annihilate Writer's Block,' which includes advice from Aaron Sorkin, William Monahan, and Cary Fukunaga. Get it for free or listen to interviews at the "Creative Principles with Brock Swinson" podcast on the website above.

New around here? Sign up for our email list (only 1-2 a week; I promise!), and get our exclusive FREE ebook, “Heroes of The Walking Dead: Character Guide”, to keep you abreast of all the characters going into Season 9A.

From Carol to Daryl to Carl, all of the characters from Season 8 are included.

Whether it’s time for a refresher before the season premier, or a Cliff Notes-style guide for new fans, this ebook checks the boxes for all TWD fans.